Derrick or crane



July 29 1924. 1,502,567

A. G. GRAY DERRI CK OR CRANE Filed Feb. 1, 1 922 e Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN'I'CJR M BY 4 k gw A. G. GRAY DERRICK OR CRANE Filed Feb. 1, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 29, 1924. 1,502.66?

. A. G. GRAY DERRICK OR CRANE Filed Feb. 1, 1922 e Sheets-Sheet s FIGJ.

Jui 29 1924. 1,502,667

A. G. GRAY DERR I OK OR CRANE Filed Feb. 1, ;922- 6 Sheets-$heet 4 July 29, 1924.

A. G. GRAY DERRICK OR CRANE 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb.

INVENTOR WW July 29 1924. v 1,502,667

, A. cs. GRAY DERRICK OR CRANE Filed P85. 1, 1922 a Sheets-Sheet 6 mwwmauw 3 1 WNM lTE STTS FFEQE.

ARTHUR GER-ALI) GRAY, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

DERRICK OB, CRANE.

Application filed February 1, 1922.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR GERALD GRAY, a subject of the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and resident of London, England, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Derricks or Cranes.

This invention relates to improvements in derricks or cranes and is applicable to derricks or cranes generally, and in use for all purposes, but particularly for loading and discharging ships (the derrick being situated either on board the vessel, or ashore), and also as a means for lowering boats.

The invention has for one of its objects an improved construction of such derrick, whereby the same may be self-slewing, that is, swinging may be effected without the aid of guy ropes operated by manual. labour or by mechanical means.

Broadly stated, in accordance with this in vention the self-slewing action is effected by displacing either the goose-neck (or at tachment at the end of the derrick nearest the mast, or post-normally the lower end of the derrick) or the point of attachment of the topping lift to the mast to one or the other side of its normal position, such normal position being considered that in which the longitudinal axes of the mast or post, derrick and topping lift are in one vertical plane.

In accordance with this invention the slewing action of the derrick is effected by mounting the goose-neck (or attachment at the end of the derrick nearest the mast, or post) or the point of attachment of the topping lift to the mast in a slide or carriage adapted to be reciprocated by a connecting rod and crank mechanism or the like driven suitably from the winch, in such manner as to provide a varying velocity of travel of the goose-neck or point of attachment (a slow movement at the'ends of the path and a gradual acceleration towards the mid-point of the path) assuring an even movement of all the parts and affording proper sequence of the operations without the necessity for reversing gear.

Further features consist in the provision of means for interrupting the slewing action and in the provision of means for preventing surging and swinging back of the derrick when slewing.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1 and 2 Serial No. 533,340.

show in side elevation, and front elevation respectively a single derrick and in accorddance with my invention arranged on board ship.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a slightly modified form of my invention as illustrated in Figures l and 2.

Figs. t and 5 show in side elevation and in plan the arrangement of a set of four such derricks for use in loading and discharging cargo from a number of different holds on board a ship.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show in front elevation, in section and in plan respectively a topping lift attachment to the mast of a derreck, adapted for use in substitutionfor or in addition to the movable goose-neck arrangement.

Figs. 9 and 10 show in elevation and in plan, details of one form of the support for the goose-neck on a movable carriage or the like, the figure showing means for preventing surging of the derrick when slewing.

Figs. 11 and 12 show in plan and in end elevation an automatic interrupting gear for arresting the travel of the carriage at the critical points in its movement.

In the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 to 3, which show in addition to a goose-neck arrangement a topping lift attachment to the mast (though either or both may be used), 1 denotes the mast or post, 2 the derrick and 3 the usual wiirh for raising or lowering the load. The lower end of the derrick is pivoted to a goose-neck 4: or pivot pin, which is revolubly mounted in a slide 5 or a carriage supported by wheels, rollers or the like, guided within a frame or table 6 adjacent the mast or post 1. The movement of slide or carriage 5, and thus of the goose neck 4 and the end of the derrick 2, toone or other side of the mast is transmitted by a connecting rod '7 and crank 8 (see Fig. 9) driven through shafting 9 gears 9 and 9 and vertical shaft 9 from the engine shaft 10 of the winch 3, the initiation and interruption of the reciprocating movement of the slide 5 being. controlled by the operator through the medium of a clutch l1 interposed in the shafting 9 and operated by a clutch lever 12. The vertical shaft 9 is connected to a horizontal shaft 9 (see Figs. 9 and 10) and this shaft is in turn geared to a countershaft 9 carying a worm engaging a worm wheel 9. This worm wheel 9f carries e crank 8 to which the connected one forward and one aft of each of a pair of masts 1 so as to permit of the simultaneous discharge from and the loading of different holds.

In lieu of, or in addition to, the movable slide 5 or carriage and goose-neck arrangement l, there may be provided a topping lift attachment indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 and shown in detail in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.

Preferably the topping lift attachment is employed in conjunction with the slide or carriage the topping lift attachment being used principally where the vessel has acquired an adverse list due to shifting of the cargo, for example.

As shown, the topping lift attachment, i. e. the attachment to which the rope or the like 13 connecting the derrick and mast, is secured consists of a traveller 13, mounted for movement along a. screw-threaded spindle 14 or the like, supported in a frame 15 attached to the mast 1 and provided at one end with a pulley 16 or the like, adapted to be embraced by a rope, belt or the like 16, by which the pulley 16 may be rotated in one or other direction causing the traveller 13 to move to one or other side of the mast 1, thus effecting the slewing of the derrick in the same dire;tion.

Means are areferably provided for preventing "surging and swinging back of the derrick during slewing as might occur in cases where cargo is being discharged while the vessel is lying in surf or roads. An example of such means is illustrated in Figs. 1,9 and 10. As shown, the goose-neck 4, which is mounted in a carriage 5, supported by rollers 5 running in tracks 5 is fitted with a. pair of superposed ratchet wheels 17, 18, having ratchet teeth of opposite hand. lVit-h these ratchet wheels engage pawls 19, 20, suitably mounted on the carriage 5, one in the vicinity of each side-frame of the table or framework 6, and connected by means of a link 21, permitting movement in unison, one pawl preventing clockwise and the other anti-clockwise rotation of the ratchet-s 17, 18. These pawls are operated by one of a pair of contact strips or cams 22. fitted on each side frame, parallel to the wheel tracks 5 of the carriage 5, each strip extending on one side-frame only for a distance corresponding to half the travel of the carriage on one side of the mast 1, and the other similarly for a distance corre-.

pawl may be fitted for each ratchet while springs may be fitted to each pawl to ensure engagement evenly and without shock. By

such means surging of the derrick and running back of the same is prevented when slewing to either side.

In order to obtain automatic operation of the apparatus to a fuller extent there may be employed therewith an interrupting gear which has for its object by disengagement of a clutch interposed say in the shafting transmitting movement from the engine shaft of the winch to arrest the travel of the slide or carriage 5 at each of three criti cal points in its path, the critical points being (1) that with the slide or carriage 5 in central position for lifting the load without slewing; that with the slide or carriage 5 at one end of its path with the derrick loaded and ready to slew; and that with the slide or carriage 5 at the opposite end of its path, the load being delivered and the derrick ready to be slewed back empty.

One form of interrupting gear is illustrated by way of example in Figs. 11 and 12 which show the gear in position to con trol the clutch 11 shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the clutch lever 12 in these figures however being shown at the opposite side of the shaft to the position it occupies in Figs. 1 and 3. As shown, to effect the declutching action there is mounted on a vertical shaft 27 carried in a standard 28 disposed adjacent the clutch 11, a disc 24 fitted with projecting teeth 25 (in this case three in number) mounted on the periphery, each of such teeth being severally and independently hungon a horizontal pin 26 passed through its inner end, thus permitting a slight rocking movement in-a vertical plane, against the resistance of a spring or springs (not shown), the spring or springs being in contact with the bottom surface of the teeth, and under normal conditions pressing the teeth 25 up to the highest point of the are which the outer end describes. In association with these teeth 25 is provided a vertical rod 23 mounted in the standard 28 and adapted to be depressed by an operator at the desired moment for a purpose later explained.

Shaft 27 is rotated in synchronisin with the worm wheel shaft 9 through the medium of chain 32 and sprockets 31, 31 mounted on the worm wheel shaft 9 and on shaft 27 respectively. lVhen the shaft 27 is causedto rotate the projecting teeth 25 on the disk engage with a detent 28 mounted suitably on the extended end of the spindle of the clutch fork 29. Such engagementimparts a rocking movement to the clutch fork 29, effecting deelutching of the shaft 9, 9. v

Declutching having thus been effected at one of the critical points, and the required function of the derrick having been performed the tooth 25 is moved aside from the detent 28 by the operator depressing the knob on the small vertical rod 23 permitting the clutch spring 34 to effect engagement of the clutch members. The whole system thus again begins to move until the next critical point is reached, when the same cycle of operations is repeated.

It should be noted that in this arrangement movement of the carriage 5 and consequent slewing of the derrick is effected while the winch 3 is running in one direction only. By means of a trip gear, fitted between the reversing handle of the winch and the small vertical rod 23 automatic locking of the latter may be effected, with the result that one of the projecting teeth 25 will remain permanently in contact with the detent 28, and the clutch will be maintained in disengaging position until the motion of the winch 3 is reversed.

It will be obvious that with small derricks the winch and thus also the slide or carriage may be manually operated instead of "mechanically.

I claim 1. A derrick comprising a mast and a ib, a. support for one end of said jib disposed adjacent the base of said mast, a support for the other end of said ib disposed adjacent the upper end of said mast, a winch and a crank and connecting rod mechanism interposed between one of said supports and said winch for imparting a t-ranslatory movement of varying velocity to said support with respectto said mast, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A derrick comprising a mast and a jib, a. pivotal support for the inner end of said jib disposed adjacent the base of said mast and permitting the jib to pivot therein, a winch and a connecting rod and crank mechanism driven by said winch and actuating said pivotal support, the connecting rod of the connecting rod and crank mechanism being connected with said pivotal support whereby to impart to said pivotal support a translatory movement of "arying velocity with respect to said mast.

3. A derrick comprising a mast and a ib,

a support for one end of said jib disposed adjacent said mast, a support for the other end of said jib disposed adjacent the upper end of said mast, a winch and a crank and connecting rod mechanism, said crank and connecting rod mechanism being driven by said winch and interposed between said winch and said support for said jib disposed adjacent the mast, said connecting rod being "connected to" said support and thus serving to impart to said support a translatory movement of varying velocity with respect to said mast.

4;. A derrick comprising a mast and a jib, a framework adjacent the base of said mast, a carriage movable in said framework, a pivotal support for said jib mounted in said carriage. and adapted to pivot therein, a winch and means for displacing said car riage in relation to said mast, said means including a crank and connecting rod mechanism interposed between said carriage and said winch and operable from saic winch.

5. A. derrick comprising a mast and a jib, a support for one end of said jib disposed adjacent said mast, a support for the other end of said jib disposed adjacent the upper end of said mast, a winch, a. crank and connecting rod mechanism interposed between one of said supports and said winch, and a worm and worm wheel interposed between the said winch and said crank and connecting rod mechanism serving as the driving means and also to hold the carriage when stationary, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. A derrick comprising a mast and a jib, a framework adjacent the. base of said mast, a carriage movable in said framework, said carriage fitted with travelling wheels and thrust receiving wheels, a. pivotal support for said jib mounted in said carriage and adapted to pivot therein, a winch and means for displacing said carriag in relation to said mast, said means including a crank and connecting rod mechanism interposed between said carriage and said winch and operable from said Winch.

7. A derrick comprising a mast and a jib, a framework adjacent the base of said mast, a carriage movable in said frame-work, a pivotal support for said jib mounted in said carriage, a winch, and a crank and connecting rod mechanism interposed between ."aid carriage and said winch, said mechanism operable from said winch substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. A derrick comprising a mast and a jib, a framework adjacent the base of said mast, a carriage movable in said framework, a pivotal support for said jib mounted in said carriage and adapted to rotate the-rein about a vertical axis, awinch, means for displacing said carriage in relation to said framework, said means operable from said winch, and means for limiting the rotary movement of said pivotal support about its vertical axis in said carriage.

9. A derrick comprising a mast and a jib, a framework adjacent the base of said mast, a carriage movable in said framework, a pivotal support for said jib mounted in said carriage and adapted to rotate therein about a vertical axis, a winch, means for translating said carriage in relation to said framework, said means operable from said winch, means for limiting the rotary move.

ment of said pivotal support about its vertical axis and hence the swinging movement of the jib, said last-mentioned means including ratchets mounted on the pivotal support, pawls cooperating with said ratchets and cams disposed on said framework and arranged to actuate said pawls.

10. A derrick comprising a mast and a jib, a framework adjacent the base of said mast, a carriage movable in said framework, a pivotal support. for said jib mounted in said carriage and adapted to rotate therein about a vertical axis, means for displacing said carriage in relation to said framework, and means for limiting the rotary movement of said pivotal support about its vertical axis in said carriage and hence the swinging movement of the jib.

11. A derrick comprising a mast and a jib, a framework disposed adjacent the base of said mast, a carriage movable in said framework, a pivotal support for said jib mounted in said carriage, a winch, mechanism for translating said carriage in relation to said framework, said mechanism operable from said winch, and interrupting gear for interrupting the operation of said mecha nism.

12. A derrick comprising a mast and a jib, a framework disposed adjacent the base of said mast, a carriage movable in said. framework, a pivotal support for said jib mounted in said carriage, a winch, mechanism for translating said carriage in relation to said framework, said mechanism operable from said winch, and interrupting gear for interrupting the operation of said mechanism, said interrupting gear including members rotatable concomitantly with the movement of said carriage, and trip gear operated by said members.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ARTHUR GERALD GRAY.

\Vitnesses T. MERE, J. J. JENKINS. 

